Esa Lindell

Observations:

April 2017 – Esa started off the season a little shaky but rebounded very nicely to prove himself as one of the Stars best rookies. He didn’t score as many points as originally expected, but he did showcase that quick wrist shot that Lindy Ruff raves about. Lindell improved defending, and displayed great footwork allowing him to match any offensive player, while logging over 20 minutes a game of ice time. Points should come for Lindell, as the Stars like him on the power play, and he’s already producing defensively with hits and block shots. Expect him to be in a top-four role next year for the Dallas Stars. -Matt Kowalski

November 2016 – Esa played several games with the Stars without much offensive production. He didn’t do a lot to separate himself and was sent down to AHL. It looks like Lindell will get another chance to prove himself in Dallas as he was called up due to Oduya’s injury. At this stage it looks like Lindell is just trying to get a feel for the pace of the NHL, so don’t expect set high expectations just yet.  He’s a talented defenseman, the points will eventually come.  –Matt Kowalski

October 2016 – It appears that Lindell has earned a top-six spot on the blueline. This was expected and the expectations are high. He should be a good fantasy producer for the Stars. Matt Kowalski

August 2016 – Lindell appears to be the defenseman the Stars have pegged to get the first crack with Dallas. He has had a great career in the AHL, and appears to be the most polished. He may not have the high-end talent of a Julius Honka, but he is further along in his development. Lindell is a much better fantasy option over Jamie Oleksiak and Jordie Benn. –Matt Kowalski

January 2016 – With the upcoming all star break, and the imminent return of Jordie Benn, Lindell has been reassigned to Texas of the AHL. In his first four game with the big club, Lindell was held pointless with a minus-three rating, while averaging 14 minutes per game paired mostly with Jyrki Jokipakka and Patrik Nemeth. Stars coach Lindy Ruff was pleased with Lindell's play overall, but said he just needs to adapt to the pace. We haven't seen the last of Lindell this season as he should be the first call up when injuries strike the D corps in the future. Brad Phillips

January 2016 – Lindell will get a chance to see what he can do with the big club, as he has been recalled to replace Jordie Benn, who is heading to the IR. Lindell's rise over the past season and a half has been nothing short of meteoric. Brad Phillips

January 2016 – Lindell will make the trip to Syracuse to represent the Texas Stars at the annual AHL All-Star Classic. To say that Lindell's first season in North America has been a success would be an understatement. With seven goals and 17 assists for 24 points in 39 games, Lindell sits third in defensemen scoring and second among rookie D-men. Brad Phillips

November 2015 – New continent, new league, same results for Esa Lindell. He's been nothing short of spectacular in his first season with Texas. Through 18 games Lindell has three goals and 11 assists good for fifth in AHL defencemen and second among rookie Dmen (behind the otherworldly Brandon Montour). He also leads the league with a plus-14, probably aided by the fact that Texas scores goals by the bucket load, but an impressive feat nonetheless. With Dallas playing so well and their D corps displaying remarkable healthy and durability, Lindell will need to bide his time a little bit longer. But his NHL debut is just around the corner. If he's somehow still available in your league, now is the time to grab him. Brad Phillips

July 2015 – Lindell had a huge breakout season leading all Liiga defensemen scoring with 14 goals and 21 assists in 57 games. In the process he earned All Star Team honours and won the Pekka Rautakallio Award as Best Defenseman. When his season ended, Lindell made the trek across the Atlantic to have a cup of coffee with Texas at the end of last season playing five games recording one assist. To call it off, Lindell was also named to Team Finland for the World Championship where he posted six points in eight games, leading all Finish defensemen in scoring. All in all the 2014-15 season was a rousing success. Stars GM Jim Nill said he expects Lindell to compete for a spot out of camp, but in all likelihood he will start the season in the AHL to help get acclimatized to the North American game. Should he start down there, he will almost assuredly be one of the first call ups when injuries strike. Brad Phillips

January 2014 – Defeating Sweden 3-2 in overtime, Lindell and Team Finland took home the Gold Medal at the 2014 World Junior Championship in Malmo, Sweden. Lindell opened the scoring 28 seconds into the Championship Game with a wrist shot from the top of the left circle, giving Finland the 1-0 lead. It was the second time Lindell had scored in the opening minute of a game against Sweden in the '14 WJC. The 19-year-old was a key factor in all situations for Finland, including time on the power play and penalty kill. Lindell's five points (two goals, three assists) was tied for second among defenseman, while finishing sixth among all players in plus/minus rating (plus-6). Clayton Bailey

April 2013- Lindell finished out the season play for Kiekko-Vantaa, amassing 10 points (4 goals, 6 assists) in 22 games. He will likely get another shot with Jokerit in the SM-liiga in 2013-14, as the Stars do not appear to be in any hurry to rush Esa's delevopment and bring him over to North America at this time. Rex Doty

December 2012 – Lindell played 19 games with Jokerit in the SM-liiga but did not score a point even though he had opportunities, even skating on the power play. He has been playing with Kiekko-Vantaa in Finland's second-tier league, Mestis, where he has six points in 10 games. Lindell has been selected to the preliminary roster of Team Finland for World Juniors. His spot on the final roster isn't guaranteed in any way though. Miika Arponen

October 2012 – Lindell is still pointless after the first seven games of the season. He has been playing on average over 18 minutes per game alongside arguably the best defensive D-man in SM-liiga, Ossi Väänänen. His power play ice time has also decreased  when NHL-superstar Erik Karlsson joined the team. Miika Arponen

June, 2012 – Esa Lindell is a puck-moving defenseman with good shot and great playmaking skills. He was chosen as the best player of the Junior A SM-liiga in 2012. He still has to improve his skating and defensive skills. He will probably play 2012/13 split with Jokerit's first team and junior team. Miika Arponen

Fantasy Outlook: B-

High upside, and is close to being NHL-ready. He has added significant bulk to his 6-3 frame.

Footage:

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